FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Fun Trivia
Home: Questions and Answers Forum
Answers to 100,000 Fascinating Questions
Welcome to FunTrivia's Question & Answer forum!

Search All Questions


Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims.

Archived Questions

Goto Qn #


How do fabric softener sheets work in reducing static electricity?

Question #87738. Asked by Jubal.

Related Trivia Topics: Movies  
avatar
red_stone star
Answer has 11 votes
red_stone star
17 year member
107 replies avatar

Answer has 11 votes.
In fabric softener there is a water-soluble polymer that acts as a anti static during the rinse cycle. Fabric sheets are basically, designed sheets with fabric softener added to them for the dryer.
link http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5254268.html

Oct 25 2007, 8:54 AM
avatar
zbeckabee star
Answer has 14 votes
Currently Best Answer
zbeckabee star
Moderator
18 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 14 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Fabric softeners work by coating the surface of the cloth fibers with a thin layer of chemicals; these chemicals have lubricant properties and are electrically conductive, thus making the fibers feel smoother and preventing buildup of static electricity.

Cationic softeners bind by electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged groups on the surface of the fibers and neutralizing their charge; the long aliphatic chains are then oriented towards the outside of the fiber, imparting lubricity. Vinegar works on some materials in a similar way, as the hydrogen ions bind to the anionic groups on the fibers.


link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabric_softener

Oct 25 2007, 9:33 AM
free email trivia FREE! Get a new mixed Fun Trivia quiz each day in your email. It's a fun way to start your day!


arrow Your Email Address:

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

Related FunTrivia Quizzes

play quiz Textiles, Fabric, Print Methods of Fabric
(Applied Art, Design)
play quiz Cascading Style Sheets For Dummies
(Software and Programming)
play quiz Fabric-ation
(Sewing)

Return to FunTrivia
"Ask FunTrivia" strives to offer the best answers possible to trivia questions. We ask our submitters to thoroughly research questions and provide sources where possible. Feel free to post corrections or additions. This is server B184.